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Buddle's pre-season form excites LA Galaxy's Arena, Beckham

Edson Buddle was back in goalscoring form for LA Galaxy in their opening match of the Desert Diamond Cup pre-season competition.

Despite losing 3-2 to New England Revolution, head coach Bruce Arena was happy with how the returning Buddle performed after he netted the Galaxy's opening goal with a header from a perfect David Beckham cross.

"He probably had six good goal-scoring opportunities tonight," Arena said after the match. "He was dangerous.

"The ball didn't go in, but it's really encouraging to see a striker get those kind of opportunities. He did a lot of good things tonight."

Whilst Beckham added: "He gets himself in great positions. That's what you want from a forward.

"You want a forward to work hard for you. Edson's always done that. He's a great addition to have back in the team."

Buddle, who scored 16 goals for LA in 2010, is back with the Galaxy after spending a year with German second division club FC Ingolstadt.